Proverbs 17:1-28
17 Better is a piece of dry bread where there is peace*+Than a house full of feasting* along with quarreling.+
2 A servant with insight will rule over a son who acts shamefully;He will share in the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,+But Jehovah is the examiner of hearts.+
4 A wicked man pays attention to hurtful speech,And a deceptive man listens to a malicious tongue.+
5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker,+And whoever rejoices over another’s disaster will not go unpunished.+
6 Grandsons* are a crown to the aged,And fathers* are the glory of their sons.*
7 Upright* speech does not befit a fool.+
How much less does false speech befit a ruler!*+
8 A gift is like a precious stone* to its owner;+Everywhere he turns, it brings him success.+
9 Whoever forgives* a transgression seeks love,+But the one who keeps harping on a matter separates close friends.+
10 A rebuke makes a deeper impression on one having understanding+Than striking a stupid person a hundred times.+
11 A bad man seeks only rebellion,But a cruel messenger will be sent to punish him.+
12 Better to meet a bear bereaved of her cubsThan to encounter someone stupid in his foolishness.+
13 If anyone repays bad for good,Bad will not depart from his house.+
14 Beginning a fight is like opening a floodgate;*Before the quarrel breaks out, take your leave.+
15 Anyone who acquits the wicked one and anyone who condemns the righteous one+—Both of them are detestable to Jehovah.
16 What good is it that the stupid one has the means to acquire wisdomWhen he has no heart for acquiring it?*+
17 A true friend shows love at all times+And is a brother who is born for times of distress.+
18 A man lacking good sense* shakes hands and agreesTo put up security* in the presence of his neighbor.+
19 The one who loves conflict loves transgression.+
Anyone who makes his entryway high invites a crash.+
20 The one who is crooked at heart will not find success,*+And the one who speaks deceitfully will fall into ruin.
21 The one who fathers a stupid child will experience grief;And the father of a senseless child has no joy.+
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,*+But a crushed spirit saps one’s strength.*+
23 A wicked man will take a bribe in secret*To pervert the course of justice.+
24 Wisdom is directly in front of the discerning person,But the eyes of the stupid wander to the ends of the earth.+
25 A stupid son brings grief to his fatherAnd heartache* to the one who gave birth to him.+
26 To punish* the righteous one is not good,And to flog honorable people goes against what is right.
27 A man of knowledge restrains his words,+And a discerning man will remain calm.*+
28 Even a fool who keeps silent will be considered wise,And the one who seals his lips, discerning.
Footnotes
^ Lit., “sacrifices.”
^ Or “quietness.”
^ Or “Grandchildren.”
^ Or “parents.”
^ Or “children.”
^ Or “noble.”
^ Or “Fine.”
^ Or “is a stone that brings favor.”
^ Lit., “covers over.”
^ Or “like opening a dam.” Lit., “letting out waters.”
^ Or “When he is lacking good sense?”
^ Lit., “in want of heart.”
^ Or “go surety.”
^ Lit., “good.”
^ Or “good for healing.”
^ Or “dries up the bones.”
^ Lit., “a bribe from the bosom.”
^ Lit., “bitterness.”
^ Or “impose a fine on.”
^ Lit., “cool of spirit.”